OVERCOMING ALL AFFLICTIONS 2
(week 43/10)
OLUBI JOHNSON
In our article last week, we saw that God wants us to overcome all afflictions so that He can show Himself off through us and so attract and draw men to get to know Him better.
This week, we will see how to overcome all afflictions.
How then do we overcome all afflictions?
Firstly, it is vital for you to know that God will never allow any affliction to come against you that you cannot overcome:
1 Corinthians 10:13 MKJV: No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.
If this is true and it is. Why then do temptations, trials and afflictions sometimes overcome us?
They overcome us because we do not take the way of escape God has made.
What is this way of escape?
The way of watching and praying always.
Luke 21:36 MKJV: Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.
As we watch and pray always, we will always receive the necessary wisdom and power to overcome every temptation or affliction that the enemy brings against us.
Grace and peace are multiplied (not added) unto us so that we receive the life of God: the divine nature in a measure that is more than enough to escape the corruption that is in the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15)) through lust so overcoming all temptations and afflictions.
2 Peter 1:2-4 MKJV: Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (3) according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue, (4) through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
So, the following scriptures instruct us on praying in the face of tribulations: persecutions, afflictions and temptations.
James 5:13 MKJV: Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
Here, the scripture instructs to pray when afflicted: not to worry, murmur or complain but to pray! As we pray, God will give us a ‘break through’ that will give us a revelation of our victory causing us to become cheerful and then sing psalms, like Paul and Silas.
Acts 16:25-26 MKJV: And toward midnight Paul and Silas prayed and praised God in a hymn. And the prisoners listened to them. (26) And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and all the bonds were loosened.
The Holy Spirit through Paul re-echoes these same instructions in the following scriptures.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 MKJV: Rejoice evermore. (17) Pray without ceasing. (18) In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Romans 12:12 MKJV: rejoicing in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer,
Philippians 4:6-8 MKJV: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things.
Here, Paul tells us that after praying and so getting the peace of God in our souls: will, minds and emotions to overcome the afflictions; we are to maintain the peace of God in our minds by positive thoughts based on God’s character: true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of excellence and of praise!
Isaiah 26:3 MKJV: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.
